Help! Retra Pro X sometimes won’t turn on

Started by LoriAnnKru · July 24, 20224 yr

4Posts
4Replies

LoriAnnKru Archived member 29 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

July 24, 20224 yr

Hi all—I sent my logs and this inquiry to Retra tonight, but am also posting here in case any of you can get back to me quickly! Thanks for any help.

Hi everyone at Retra,

I’m on a Liveaboard and have run into a problem with this strobe. When I’ve turned it to batt-test, no light turns on. I double checked the batteries by moving batteries that were working in my other Retra strobe into the 1GZ3, but the problem recurred.

I’ve checked the dome for water (none), and I’ve checked the battery compartment for any signs of damage. It looked absolutely clean.

I’ve sent you the logs for that strobe. Can you take a look and let me know what’s happening?

I just updated the firmware in both my strobes this evening. I had the problem before I updated the firmware.

Right now, the strobe *IS* working. But I’ve run into the problem at least 3 separate times in the last few days.

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.

Lori Ann
ChrisRoss Archived member 3546 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

July 24, 20224 yr

It sounds very much like the problem lies with the battery test switch/circuit if there is no sign of a flood and the strobe still works. You say the problem is the strobe won't turn on, but you also say it is working? Do you mean sometimes it will power up and others times it will not?

Hopefully Retra will chime in but I would be inclined to keep using the strobe if it continues to power up. I doubt anyone other than the people at Retra can say definitively what is happening though.

Edited July 24, 20224 yr by ChrisRoss
Oskar@RetraUWT Archived member 157 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

July 24, 20224 yr

Hi Lori Ann and everyone who might run into this topic at a later date. The fastest and most efficient way of getting help with your Retra Flash is by sending us an email with a description and including any relevant data: flashgun composition, serial number, firmware version, etc. Because we ultimately solve all issues with our products we are accumulating a database from which we can quickly troubleshoot and diagnose. Contact us and get help at: info@retra-uwt.com

From our email response:

In general we have not had a firmware or electronic hardware related issue that would result in the Retra Flash not turning on. For the time being we will assume that everything is fine with the internal components.

However we have helped in a couple of cases where the flashgun would not turn on due to a battery not reaching the contact at the bottom of the battery compartment. This happens when the batteries get dents on their edges, usually from accidental falls during exchanges, and their diameter increases so much that they will not reach the contact. The two outer most positions are more sensitive to such battery damage. In case your batteries have dents use those on the two positions in the center.

There is a distinct noise when the battery is inserted and falls down and hits the contact. When the battery is damaged it will give a muffled noise. This can indicate there will be an issue with the contact although it’s not guaranteed. Usually there is a dent on just one side of the battery, you can rotate it in a way that the dent will be orientated away from the wall of the battery compartment and so it will not interact with it and not get stuck.

Please let me know if you still get issues with the power on after reading this. We will find the solution in any case.
LoriAnnKru Archived member 29 posts
Originally published on Wetpixel.com

July 30, 20224 yr

Thanks so much, Chris and Oskar.

Oskar got back to me overnight on the weekend—what terrific service!

I did double check all my batteries for damage, and didn’t see anything. But it did then work consistently for the final week of my trip! My best guess on the problem was that it had to be my error.

Retra is TERRIFIC! I compare it to my Shearwater computer: it works like it’s supposed to, and if there is an issue, I can get answers quickly. Very very happy with my purchase.